Second chances are scarce for NFL quarterbacks, third opportunities even rarer, and a fourth chance to reinvent oneself seems almost impossible. Yet Sam Darnold is defying all conventional wisdom as he prepares to lead the Seattle Seahawks into their first Super Bowl appearance in over a decade.
From Rejection to Redemption
The eighth-year quarterback is now with his fifth NFL franchise, but this marks the first time a team has signed him based on who he actually is rather than what they hoped he might become. This acquisition has proven remarkably shrewd, with Darnold continuing the impressive form he demonstrated last season with the Minnesota Vikings.
A Costly Mistake for Minnesota
The Vikings may well be regretting their decision to place faith in JJ McCarthy over the 2018 third overall pick. While hindsight offers perfect clarity, discarding a quarterback who threw for more than 4,000 yards and 54 touchdowns appeared slightly reckless at the time. Now it looks downright foolish.
Darnold had grown accustomed to rejection throughout his career, experiencing more than his fair share of disappointment. Even he might not have imagined that just one year after being released, he would be facing the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium in Super Bowl LX.
Historical Rarity
As Kyle Brandt noted on GMFB: "Guys on their fifth team do not start Super Bowls. It's happened three times in history, and hasn't occurred since Chris Chandler with the Falcons in 1998." This makes Darnold's achievement particularly extraordinary.
The Full Circle Journey
Darnold's journey has taken the California native and USC alumnus across the country and back to his home state for the biggest game of his life. Selected third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, he became the youngest opening-day starting quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger during a Monday Night Football game against Detroit.
His first pass attempt was intercepted for a touchdown, but he recovered to throw for 198 yards and two scores. This set the tone for his turbulent time in Meadowlands, where he threw 39 interceptions across 39 games.
Multiple Factors for Early Struggles
The reasons for Darnold's difficulties with the Jets extended far beyond his own limitations. A bout of glandular fever during his rookie season, poor play design from head coach Adam Gase, and a porous offensive line all contributed to his challenges. His confession about "seeing ghosts" on the field seemed like an admission that he was ready to retire.
When incoming head coach Robert Salah chose a starting quarterback, Darnold was passed over, ending his three-year tenure in New York. Conventional wisdom suggested this should have concluded his claim to being an NFL-caliber starter.
Learning from Mistakes
Darnold now acknowledges that attempting the "hero ball" style that worked at USC wasn't effective in the professional league. "I felt like in college, I was going from my first to second progression to get outside and make a play," Darnold admitted this week. "Whereas in the NFL, it's not that easy. You have these athletic defenders chasing me down, and I'm not fast enough to get away from them anymore."
He continued: "I think that mindset of trying to make a play just got me in a little bit of trouble early in my career."
The Carolina Experiment
Carolina offered a second chance in 2021, and after winning his first three games, optimism briefly returned. However, a 4-7 record meant that by 2022, he was relegated to backup behind Baker Mayfield, who was drafted two picks ahead of him in 2018.
San Francisco Education
His next position was as backup to Brock Purdy, the 2022 Draft's "Mr. Irrelevant," in San Francisco. While he only made one losing start with the 49ers after they had already secured playoff position, his time there proved invaluable.
"That year was incredible," Darnold told the Richard Sherman podcast. "To be able to learn football from Kyle Shanahan, from that entire staff, Brian Griese, the Kubiaks, Klint Kubiak who we're with now in Seattle. Being around those players, experiencing what they do every single day, was a great experience."
Minnesota Breakthrough
After his Santa Clara education came a breakout season in Minneapolis. The Vikings' willingness to give him his fourth chance allowed him to develop a 1,533-yard connection with Justin Jefferson. He has replicated this success this year with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the league with 1,793 receiving yards.
Last season ended with a single playoff game; now he stands one victory from the pinnacle of his sport.
Surpassing His Draft Class
Brandt added: "I was at the 2018 draft. Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen. None of those quarterbacks have reached a Super Bowl. It's insane. Sam Darnold, who was recently discarded by Carolina, sat on the sideline for San Francisco, and was dumped by Minnesota, now stands above all those guys."
The irony that Darnold could become the first quarterback from the 2018 Draft class to start and win a Super Bowl is palpable. In the seven full seasons since they entered the league together, Allen and Jackson have combined for three MVP titles.
Championship Aspirations
Allen has reached the playoffs every year except his rookie season, advancing to the AFC Championship Game twice. Jackson has participated in five postseasons, reaching the Conference Championship once. Their three combined AFC Championship losses all came against Patrick Mahomes.
This season was supposed to belong to one of these franchise quarterbacks, but Jackson didn't even make the postseason. Now Darnold has the opportunity to surpass them all. The quarterback who once spoke of "seeing ghosts" stands one step from completely exorcising his demons and achieving the ultimate redemption.
